PROGRAM POLICY
STATEMENT FOR 4+1 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AND M.S. DEGREE IN FASHION STUDIES IN
FASHION STUDIES
Part I: Rationale and Program Description
The
4+1 program allows FM majors who desire more education than the undergraduate
major can provide to complete a master’s degree in half the time. By
accelerating attainment of a master’s degree which includes writing a thesis,
students will be provided with expanded opportunities for attaining effective
written communication skills (Goal 1 of UD’s general education goals),
opportunities to think critically to solve problems (Goal 2), opportunities to
work independently (Goal 3) and opportunities to engage in research with
faculty scholars. A Master of Science in
Fashion Studies may result in expanded opportunities for career growth in
fashion, apparel, retail and related industries.
The
4-year Bachelor of Science degree in fashion merchandising (FM) supports the
The 2-year
Master of Science in Fashion Studies is designed to prepare students to be
effective professionals in the global apparel industry. The growth and
dominance of large multinational apparel brands and retailers has created a
need for professionals who are globally oriented, innovative, have both apparel
product design and consumer behavior expertise along with an understanding of
social responsibility and sustainability, and strong communication skills.
Graduates will be able to serve as integrators who can create value for a firm
by integrating knowledge about consumer research, product design, product
merchandising, product sourcing, and product presentation. The MS
program is unique in that all students complete design innovation and consumer
behavior courses to bring an understanding of both to solving problems
in the global
fashion industry. Concepts and practices from social responsibility and
sustainability underlie the graduate
program.
The
Bachelor of Science degree in FM requires 120 credits. An additional 32 credits are required for the
Master of Science degree. Graduate
courses taken in the junior and senior years are combined to waive up to 13 credits
of undergraduate degree course requirements.
In the freshmen and sophomore years and first semester of the junior
year, students follow the FM curriculum as outlined in the undergraduate
catalog. During the second semester of the junior year and the senior year a
minimum of 12 graduate credits
at the 600 and 800 levels will be completed.
Upon completion of the 4-year undergraduate degree, students will
immediately begin taking the remaining graduate credits over a 1-year period. The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded
after completing the required 120 credits; whereupon students are granted
regular status as graduate students and complete the remaining credits for the
Master of Science degree.
Part II. Admission to 4+1 Program
A. When to Apply
Students
will apply for admission to the 4+1 Master of Science in Fashion Studies
program in the fall semester of the junior year. However, any undergraduate student interested
in applying for the program is encouraged to make their interest known to their
advisor as early as the freshman year.
B.
Admission requirements. Applicants for admission meet the
following requirements:
1. Students must be enrolled at the University
of Delaware in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies pursuing an
undergraduate major in fashion merchandising.
2.
A
minimum of 60 undergraduate credits and a GPA equivalent to at
least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in all prior undergraduate college-level course work.
3. Students must also take the GRE; however,
the GRE is waived if a student has a 3.5 GPA or higher.
4. Primary criteria: Candidates for admission must submit 3
letters of recommendation and a personal statement describing interests,
intellectual goals, and how this program would meet their goals and objectives.
A resume and a writing sample (research paper from a senior level course) are
required.
5. Secondary criteria: In instances such as
high applicant numbers candidates for admission will be evaluated on the
following in addition to primary
criteria. Examples of secondary criteria include determination by faculty
of the students clear promise of or demonstrated research as well as an
Interview.
6. Students are admitted with provisional
status until completion of the senior year and 120 credits, whereupon they are
granted regular status as graduate students.
C.
Admission to the 4+1 program is
competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission,
nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded
from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.
D.
Application deadlines. Review
of applicants begins October 15th of the junior year and students
are officially notified by November 1st. Students begin the 4+1 program in the spring
of the junior year.
Part III. Academic
A.
Course Requirements for Master
of Science in Fashion Studies
|
|
3 cr. |
|
|
1 cr. |
|
|
1 cr. |
|
or |
1 cr. |
|
|
3 cr. |
|
|
3 cr. |
|
|
2 cr. |
|
|
3 cr. |
|
Research Methods (IFST 615, |
3 cr. |
|
Department electives (600 or 800 level) * |
6 cr. |
|
|
6 cr. |
|
Total |
32 cr. |
|
|
|
*Note: For the M.S.
degree 4+1 students take FASH 655 and FASH 630 as departmental electives.
B.
The Bachelor of Science degree in FM requires 120 credits. An additional 32 credits are required for the
Master of Science degree. Undergraduate
courses taken in the junior and senior years are combined to waive up to 13 credits
of bachelor degree course requirements.
In the freshmen and sophomore years and first semester of the junior
year, students follow the FM curriculum as outlined in the undergraduate
catalog. During the second semester of the junior year and the senior year a
minimum of 13 graduate credits at the 600 and 800 levels will be completed. Upon completion of the 4-year undergraduate
degree, students will immediately begin taking the remaining graduate credits
over a 1-year period.
C.
4+1 Course Requirements. Students are admitted into the 4+1
program in the spring of the junior year. They will take 600/800
|
Spring of Junior Year |
||
|
|
(3 cr.) |
Count as a substitute for |
|
Fall of Senior Year |
||
|
IFST 615* |
(3 cr.) |
Research Methods (will
count as undergrad elective) |
|
* can also take |
||
|
|
|
|
|
Spring of Senior Year |
||
|
|
(1 cr.) |
Fashion
Studies Seminar (taken twice, once as a
required undergrad course) |
|
|
(3 cr.) |
Apparel Brand Management
& Marketing (Counts as a substitute
for |
|
|
(3 cr.) |
Research Analysis in
Fashion Studies |
In the graduate year of study, students will take (19 credits) with
no electives or substitutions for requirements in the
following sample sequence:
|
Fall Semester of Graduate Program |
||
|
|
(3 cr.) |
Elementary Statistics (or equivalent) |
|
|
(3
cr.) |
Global Fashion Consumer |
|
|
(1
cr.) |
Apparel Supply Chains & Social Responsibility |
|
|
(1
cr.) |
Socially Responsible Apparel: Global Policy |
|
|
(1
cr.) |
Sustaining Global Apparel Supply Chains |
|
**or
|
||
|
|
||
|
Spring Semester of
Graduate Program |
||
|
|
(1 cr.) |
Fashion Studies Seminar (taken twice) |
|
|
(3 cr.) |
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Creative Problem Solving |
|
|
(6
cr.) |
Thesis |
The
total credits for the B.S. and M.A. are 139. The B.S. degree is awarded upon
completion of 120 credits.
D.
Grade minimums
Once admitted to the 4+1 degree
program, students must maintain a 3.0 average in graduate level courses.
Further, as per university policy, a student must maintain a 3.0 grade point
average (on a 4.0 scale) each semester to be considered in good standing.
Credit hours and courses for which the grade is below a B- do not count toward
the M.S. degree, however the grade is applied to the index. In order to continue to progress toward
degree any student who fails to receive B or better on courses in their major
field of study must repeat the course and receive a B. In addition, having to
repeat a course is considered in the review for satisfactory progress to degree.
See Part VI. D. 1 for departmental review procedures.
Part IV. Plus 1 (Graduate Year)
A.
Time limits for completing 4+1
degree requirements
Students
that complete the bachelor degree are allowed to work toward the master’s
degree part-time provided the degree requirements are completed within 5 years
from receiving their undergraduate degree.
B. Petitions for variance in degree requirements
Typically, for a 4+1 student the
master’s program can be completed in 1 year beyond the bachelors degree. The
university allows ten semesters from the date of matriculation for completion
of the master’s degree for students entering the doctoral program with an
earned master’s degree. Graduate course credits expire five years after the
course has been completed. Extension of this time limit may be granted for
circumstances beyond a student’s control and must be approved by the student’s
academic advisor and the department chair.
C. Courses which may not be used toward the degree
No more than 3 credits of independent
study (
credits of supervised research (
degree. A maximum of 9 graduate
credits may be applied toward the graduate degree through
Continuing Education non-degree
classification with approval of the department chair
and the student’s advisor. Graduate
credit earned at another institution will be evaluated at the student’s
request. A maximum of 9 credits required for the degree will be accepted
provided the course meets university requirements for transfer approval.
Graduate courses for transfer credit must have a B or better.
Part V. Committees for Master’s Exams and Theses
A.
Advisement For the three semesters students are
completing graduate work while juniors and seniors, the department’s director
of graduate studies serves as the student’s temporary advisor. Students should seek opportunities to meet
all faculty members in the department to discuss their areas of study during
the first semester 4+1 students must decide whom they would like as their
advisor by the beginning of the spring semester of their senior year. To request an advisor, students will write a
statement of research interest and indicate with whom they want to work and
will submit this to the graduate studies director. The department will try to
accommodate each student’s interests/requests.
However, faculty availability will be considered for the number of
students who need advisement.
B. Selection of Master's Thesis Committees
The thesis committee consists of one
faculty advisor and two other faculty members. Two faculty members including
the student’s advisor who will serve as committee chairperson should be from
the Fashion and Apparel Studies department. During the spring semester of their senior
year, the student will write a statement of research interests and indicate who
in addition to his or her advisor would be appropriate members of the thesis
committee. With the approval of the advisor, it is the student’s responsibility
to discuss the topic with potential committee members and gain their agreement
to serve as committee members.
C. Requirement for Comprehensive Exams for Master’s Degree
4+1 students have no official
comprehensive exam such as a qualifying exam. However,
4+1 students will write, present, and
be examined over a research/scholarship proposal. In addition, they will be
examined over their theses and program of study at the thesis defense.
See Part VI. D. 4 for thesis defense guidelines.
D. Research/Scholarship Proposal
Before or at the beginning of the
fall semester of their fifth year, 4+1 students must submit a
written proposal for
research/scholarship. The proposal will be presented to and approved by the
student’s graduate committee. This proposal should include a detailed review of
pertinent literature, justification for the scholarly activity, methods and
procedures to be used, and a timetable for completion. The proposal will be
reviewed and refined as necessary, based on the committee’s input. If major emphasis
is shifted during the course of the research/scholarship, the proposal should
be amended with the advice and consent of the committee.
D.
Policies for Dates of
Examinations
Since thesis defenses typically occur
at the end of a course of study, a convenient time to hold them might be in the
summer. However, holding exams during the summer may be difficult because
faculty on nine-month contracts or on sabbatical may not be available during
the summer. Therefore, the student needs to plan with the graduate committee
well in advance to negotiate appropriate scheduling of the defense.
F.
Human Subjects Research
Guidelines
University policy and federal law (45
subjects be reviewed and approved by
the Human Subjects Review Board (HSRB). This body is
also commonly referred to as an Institutional
Review Board (IRB). This requirement applies to
all research involving human subjects
conducted by University faculty, staff, and students.
As defined by federal law, there are
three levels of appropriate review: exemption from full
board review, expedited review, and
full board review. The level depends on who the subjects
will be and how much risk they will
experience. For information on how to decide which type of
review may be required, see the
section on protocol review and approval procedures available
in http://www.udel.edu/research/preparing/protocolreview.html
University investigators planning
research projects involving the use of human subjects are
required to (1) make available to the
Review Board the plans for anticipated research before
beginning the projects and in
sufficient time to allow the board to take action; (2) make clearly
evident in the written research plan
or through any further information that may be needed
precisely how the rights and welfare
of the research subjects are to be protected, how informed
consent of human subjects is to be
obtained, and whether written consent forms are to be used;
and (3) during the course of the
project make known to the committee any changes in protocol
or any emerging problems of investigation
that may significantly alter the original concept; (4)
report to the Review Board any
instances of injuries or unexpected problems involving risks to
subjects or others; and (5) carry out
the continuing responsibilities delineated in Section E.6,
"Responsibilities of the
Research Investigator." Students
should submit the application for human subjects review to the chair for human subjects
in the CHEP who serves as a member of UD’s IRB prior to conducting research and
must obtain the approval before collecting data.
Part VI. Approval of Theses
A.
THE MASTER'S THESIS
The master’s thesis must reflect the
ability to conduct scholarly work and to report the results in a manner worthy
of publication. The following items are to be submitted to the Office of
Graduate Studies: (a) Three original
sets of the signature pages showing approval of the thesis;
(b) Three copies of the abstract; (c)
The thesis as a PDF file. The thesis must be approved by
(a) the chair of the committee in
charge of the candidate’s degree program or the advisor, (b)
the chair of the department of major
concentration or the chair of the committee in charge of an
area of study, (c) the Dean of the
College, and (d) the Provost.
B.
Departmental and Student
Obligations for Determining Committee Members and Changes in Committee Members
Although it is not desirable to
change faculty advisors, students may feel that it is best to work
with another faculty member advisor
due to unusual circumstances. In that case, the students
can petition the graduate studies
director in writing of the desire to change advisor at any time
before initiating the thesis or
dissertation proposal. The graduate studies committee will
consider the petition and make a
decision.
C.
Timetable and Definition of
Satisfactory Progress Towards the Master’s Degree Academic load (full &
part-time) expectations.
Fashion and Apparel Studies students
are encouraged to enroll in 9-12 credit hours each semester to make timely
progress toward degree. Those enrolled for fewer than 9 credit hours are
considered part-time students. Generally, a maximum load is 12 graduate credit
hours; however, additional credit hours may be taken with the approval of the
student’s adviser and the Office of Graduate Studies. A maximum course load in
either summer or winter session is 7 credit hours. Permission must be obtained from
the Office of Graduate Studies to carry an overload in any session. Normal progress toward the master’s degree includes
adherence to the timelines indicated in the Fashion and Apparel Studies
graduate handbook as well as achievement of grades of B or better in Fashion
and Apparel Studies courses. Fashion and Apparel Studies graduate students must
maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
D. Define departmental review procedures for evaluating normal
progress and evaluation of performance of 4+1’s students.
1. In
spring of the 4th and 5th years, 4+1 students will be
evaluated for satisfactory progress in the program. The Fashion and Apparel
Studies Graduate Studies Committee will conduct the review, and in addition,
may seek oral or written appraisal of the student from professors the student
has had outside the department. The purpose of these evaluations is (a) To
assess the student’s potential for continuing toward successful completion of
the MS, (b) To identify any areas of concern which warrant special attention,
such as the ability to perform satisfactorily or the timely progress in the
program, (c) To make any recommendations which would address such concerns, (d)
To make a recommendation to the student regarding continuation in the
program. Review of student’s progress
will consist of consideration of the following characteristics that are related
to successful completion of the MS: (a) The student exhibits ability to do
independent work, (b) The student does not have a pattern of incompletes, (c)
The student has achieved B grades or better in the courses from the program of
study including the provisional courses, (d) The student exhibits
self-motivation and discipline, (e) The student exhibits the talent necessary
for graduate study and research, (f) The student demonstrates professional
responsibility, (g) The student exhibits creativity in thought processes, (h)
There is continued congruence between student’s and faculty research interests,
(i) The student follows professional and personal ethical principles, (j) The
student follows handbook rules regarding suggested timeline and completes these
steps in a timely manner. A recommendation will be made to the student in a
letter. Copies of the recommendation letter will also be placed in the
student’s permanent records with the director of graduate studies, with the
student, and with the student’s advisor. The outcomes of the recommendations
are: (a) Student should continue unconditionally in the program, (b) Student
should continue in the program pending successful completion of specific
recommendations that may include coursework or other strategies necessary to
strengthen areas of weakness, (c) Student will be recommended to the Office of
Graduate Studies for dismissal from the program. Students remaining in the
program, but with recommendations to strengthen areas of weakness, will receive
a recommendation letter with a timeline for process and correction. Such
students will be reviewed at the end of each semester to assess continued
progress. Students who fail to make progress for two consecutive semesters will
be recommended for dismissal from the 4+1 program.
2. Grade requirements (general and specific).
Students must achieve grades of B or better in graduate coursework. Fashion and
Apparel Studies 4+1 students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA. All graduate numbered courses taken with
graduate student classification at the University of Delaware are applied to
the cumulative index. Credit hours and courses for which the grade is “B-”or below
do not count toward the M.S. degree even though the grade is applied to the
index. Candidates should see that all final grades have been submitted by their
instructors. Temporary grades of “S” (Satisfactory) are assigned for 868
(Research) and 869 (Master’s Thesis) until a final letter grade is submitted
upon the completion of the thesis or dissertation.
3. Thesis progress timetable guidelines.
Maintenance of steady, reasonable progress toward the master’s degree is the
responsibility of the student and the advisor. Regular meetings with the
graduate committee members to discuss progress are strongly encouraged. Each
student is responsible for monitoring his or her progress. At the end of each
semester of study, 4+ 1 students will be evaluated for satisfactory progress in
the program. The Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee will
conduct the review. Results of the review and the committee’s recommendation
will be made available to the student. Copies of the recommendation will also
be placed in the student’s permanent records with the director of graduate
studies and with the student’s advisor. Deficiencies in progress will be
communicated in writing by the advisor to the student and to the Office of
Graduate Studies. In the case of deficiencies in progress, the recommendation
letter will contain a timeline and information about the process for
correction. Before or during the fall
semester of their fifth year 4+1 students must submit to their committee for review
and approval, a written research proposal describing the intended thesis
research and a timetable for completion. Students are required to present their
proposal in
4.
Thesis defense guidelines. The
thesis should reflect the student's ability to conduct independent scholarship
and to present the results in a formal manner. It must conform to the
university's Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines (available on the university
web site) as to format and other mechanics. Students may write the thesis in a
style suitable for a manuscript(s) ready for submission to a journal in
consultation with their advisor. The student may register for Master's Thesis (
5.
Forms required. The
Application for Advanced Degree is available at
www.udel.edu/gradoffice/current/advanceddegree.pdf
and due dates are approximately three months prior to degree
conferral. The Change of Classification Form for Graduate Students is the form
used to request a change in a graduate student’s academic classification when
the change occurs within the same program or department. This form is available
at is available at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/gradindex.html#f
6.
Identify consequence for failure
to make satisfactory progress. Protocol for grievance procedure if
student has been recommended for termination for failure to make satisfactory
progress. A student who does not maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree
or who does not fulfill other graduate program requirements, including those
regarding professional standards and misconduct, may be denied further registration
in that program by the Office of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the
Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee. If, in the professional
judgment of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee, a
student has failed to make satisfactory progress toward meeting the academic
standards of the program in which that student is enrolled, the committee may
vote to dismiss that student from the program. In the case of dismissal, the
director of graduate studies is required to send a report to the Office of
Graduate Studies that states the Graduate Studies Committee vote on the
decision causing dismissal and the justification for the action. The Office of
Graduate Studies will notify a student in writing when the student is being
dismissed for failure to make satisfactory progress in the program. In the case
of academic dismissal, the student may appeal the termination by writing to the
Office of Graduate Studies. This appeal must be made within ten class days from
the date on which the student has been notified of academic dismissal. If the
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs grants reinstatement, the student must meet
the conditions of the reinstatement. Failure to meet these conditions will
result in dismissal from the program. A graduate student may be reinstated only
once to a given major. The student’s academic transcript will reflect the
reinstatement with academic probation status.
Part
A.
Types of awards, policies for granting
awards, summer appointments, and years of support.
Generally,
financial aid will not be provided by the Department for students in the 4+1
Fashion Studies program. However, in rare cases, some students may be appointed
as graduate research or graduate teaching assistants. The Department
Chair is responsible for appointing graduate teaching assistants and graduate
research assistants within the department, based on recommendations of the
Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee. The following criteria
are generally considered in assessing applicants for assistantship
appointments:
1.
performance in all previous undergraduate and
graduate course work;
2.
letters of recommendation from the advisor and
other persons in positions to assess academic and professional potential;
3.
experience in research (including publications),
teaching and/or non-University employment;
4.
professional interests;
5.
specific grant-related and teaching program
personnel needs of the department;
6.
length of availability for service;
7.
evaluation of previous assistantship performance;
and
8.
competence in oral communication.
Typically appointments will be made for 9 months.
Occasionally, 12-month appointments may be available associated with specific
faculty grants. The typical maximum length of appointment is two regular
9-month appointments for Master’s students.